Why the Fall Colors? by John Loyd

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Why the Fall Colors? by John Loyd

The fall is my favorite season. The colors overwhelm my eyes as every tree and bush shouts, “Here I am! Look at me! You didn’t even notice me as an individual all summer long. But now! Look how I stand out from all the other foliage around me, even though my neighbors are just as striking. But pay attention to me! Now you can see the full glory of all that I am!”

But why does all that color exist? What is its purpose? What is the point of all this color? From whence comes its vibrance?

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My Burning Bush ... Every Day

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My Burning Bush ... Every Day

…Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” …God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. … the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3:2-5 NLT

There is a “burning bush” in my daughter’s yard in Illinois. And it is ablaze with glory right now! So when three year old William and I came outside yesterday morning, we couldn’t help but notice the changes that seemed to happen overnight.

“It’s RED!”

“Yes, William, and it’s called a Burning Bush. You know what? God spoke to a man named Moses from a Burning Bush. It’s in the Bible.”

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Romance: Loving Jesus

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Romance: Loving Jesus

Another entry from our soon to be published book of meditations, GLORY in DISGUISE: Seeing God in our Every Day…

When my husband John and I were seniors at the University of Arizona, the Carpenters were at the top of the music charts.   We embraced them as “our group” who sang “our songs” as we were "a-courting."  Their mellow sound and rich melodies fed our romantic feelings toward each other and toward life in general.

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A Day of Reckoning...Put Off/Put On!

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A Day of Reckoning...Put Off/Put On!

Today is a Day of Reckoning...but not how you think!  Usually we use that term to mean to give an accounting, a calculation, a settlement of accounts.  In fact according to Wikipedia, it can mean a host of things from the Final Judgment Day to heavy metal albums and Nintendo games.

But in the Bible sense, EVERY day is a Day of Reckoning.  This word reckon in the Greek is often rendered consider.  In other words, "count on something to be true".  My reckoning doesn't MAKE it true.  It already IS true, so I count on it and live from it.  So each day is THE day to reckon to be true what God says is true...because it IS true.  I can take it to the bank and live from it :)

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Re-Purposing ... More Than Containers

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Re-Purposing ... More Than Containers

I’m the family “container queen.”

Actually, I’m obsessed with containers — cute ones, practical ones, and especially “potential ones.” You know, those containers — those boxes that come in the mail, that are sturdy and reusable, and even trendy looking … and those bags, like from the Apple store, or places like JJill and Trader Joe’s. They are perfect to reuse in practical and lovely ways.

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The Sunrise Club: Receiving Morning Mercies

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The Sunrise Club: Receiving Morning Mercies

Hi Friends, we have returned from our wonderful family time at the Jersey shore, my happy place. As many of you know, my favorite thing about the shore is walking early in the morning at sunrise.

So here are some current photos from our “down the shore” trip, along with another meditation from our upcoming book: Glory in Disguise: Seeing God in Our Every Day.

I pray you see Him afresh as you read and reflect.

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This "Branch" is going "Down the Shore"

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This "Branch" is going "Down the Shore"

From my very first year of blogging and just about every year since (sometimes several times in a year) … I’ve been blogging my journeys to my “happy place”…the Jersey Shore.

This blogpost is a trip into yesteryear — one of my early Jersey shore blogs, Aug 2016.

And actually today, we are again on our way to that favorite place on earth for me. It’s not just the ocean that calls me. It’s my roots — the precious loved ones (family and friends) and memories of my growing up years. So off we go for another adventure…

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Friends of God: "Be Thou My Vision"

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Friends of God: "Be Thou My Vision"

For years this hymn has been my go to song…from the time I was “in the convent” back in the late 1960’s to this very day no matter my Christian context. And recently it has been my morning song as I awaken the dawn walking in my area — even as the darkness is departing and my neighborhood owl is singing out the final hoo-hoo of his “day.”

And so I sing…even aloud…despite the high school young people passing me by on their way to the bus stop, wondering about this weird, white haired woman softly singing. I love the focus. I love the plaintive melody. I love my indwelling God who draws me toward thoughts of HIM Alone. And I love the story behind the song…

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